9-year-old Gioser Luis Feliz, of the Bronx, shot dead in the Dominican Republic
NEW YORK - A little boy from the Bronx was shot and killed while on spring break in the Dominican Republic on Friday.
The family of 9-year-old Gioser Luis Feliz says he was excited to spend spring break with his dad.
"It just happened right away," said Julian Hernandez, the boy's uncle.
Authorities in the Dominican Republic say as soon as they left the airport on the island, they were ambushed. Multiple shots were fired into their car, and one of those bullets struck Gioser in the head, killing him.
The boy's father, 32-year-old Sergio Luis Feliz Mancebo, talked with reporters after, saying he warned others to not post on social media when traveling.
"They don't believe what happened," Hernandez said.
Hernandez talked to CBS2 News in the Bronx on Friday, saying at first, they thought it was a random violent crime, but now they say they believe a close friend was behind the attack and is one of the six people arrested by police.
"They know each other for 10 years. He was basically his brother," Hernandez said. "Also, he was the one who helped him out in the hospital. He was in the surgery for the kid. He was the one who went back to the father, yeah, he passed away, so sorry."
Watch Alice Gainer's report
The president of the Dominican Republic tweeted in Spanish, "Justice must now be ensured in the courts."
In the meantime, the island has seen an uptick in violent crime.
Back in April, the U.S. State Department re-issued its travel advisory to the Dominican Republic as "level two" - increased caution due to crime.
"Street crime is a problem ... However, most people that go to the Dominican Republic will not have any trouble," said Clint Henderson, managing editor of news for the Points Guy.
Travel experts say you can still safely enjoy the destination if you avoid wearing expensive jewelry, don't post your location on social media and avoid going out to places you are unfamiliar with after dark.
Gioser's loved ones are hoping what happened to them doesn't happen to another family.
"It's something that happened with the family that hurts the family right now," Hernandez said.
The investigation is ongoing, and police there are still searching for the murder weapon.
The family says a funeral will be held for Gioser in the Bronx next week.
